Category: Social Policy and Society

What Is the Purpose of Welfare in a State That Does Not Levy Taxes?

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Illustration of three figures each rated with a different number of stars, symbolising the tiered hierarchy of entitlement in Qatar's welfare system between citizens, permanent residents, and temporary migrant workers.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Anis Ben Brik. The welfare system in Qatar is generous as citizens receive free healthcare, education, subsidised housing, and secure public sector jobs without paying taxes. Unlike the European model, where citizens contribute through taxes and the state manages labour… Continue reading What Is the Purpose of Welfare in a State That Does Not Levy Taxes?

When Delayed Retirement Meets Low Fertility: Rethinking Demographic Policy in China

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Grandfather and young child watering plants together outdoors in a garden or greenhouse setting.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Jiayi Ma, Yazhen Yang and Yu Ding. Across ageing societies, governments are increasingly attempting to address two demographic challenges at the same time: extending working lives and encouraging higher fertility. In practice, however, these two goals may not always align.… Continue reading When Delayed Retirement Meets Low Fertility: Rethinking Demographic Policy in China

Tinkering at the margins: why Labour’s parental leave reforms don’t currently deliver for families or the economy

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Mother working on a laptop at home while caring for a baby, illustrating the challenges of balancing paid work and childcare.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Anna Tarrant, Linzi Ladlow, Alison Koslowski, Harriet Churchill, Naomi Finch, and Patricia Hamilton. When Labour returned to government in 2024, parental leave reform sat near the top of its promises to working families. The manifesto and Labour’s Plan to Make… Continue reading Tinkering at the margins: why Labour’s parental leave reforms don’t currently deliver for families or the economy

Supporting employers to employ people with disabilities

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Three colleagues working together at a table in an office, including a man using a wheelchair, illustrating an inclusive workplace environment.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Rik van Berkel and Talieh Sadeghi. The labour-market participation of people with disabilities is much lower than that of the working-age population. In the European Union, this labour-market participation gap is about 25 percentage points. This gap is problematic, not… Continue reading Supporting employers to employ people with disabilities

Poverty is complex – should our policy responses be too? Moving beyond isolated policy solutions

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A couple sits with an advisor reviewing documents together, suggesting discussion of finances, housing or social support.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Heta Pöyliö. Poverty is a complex issue that requires expansive policy responses. In my recent study published in Social Policy and Society, I find that policies with different functions can work together to reduce the risk of poverty. Specifically, policy… Continue reading Poverty is complex – should our policy responses be too? Moving beyond isolated policy solutions